At 7:23 p.m., the National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office Guam, updated the advisory for Tropical Depression 10W. The current forecast track now has Tropical Depression 10W passing through the Rota channel on Thursday morning. Heavy rains and strong winds are expected to continue even after the system passes the island.Watches and Warnings:A tropical storm warning is remains in effect for Guam and Rota, meaning damaging winds of 39 mph or more are expected within 24 hours.A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Tinian and Saipan, meaning damaging winds of 39 mph or more, are possible within 24 to 36 hours.Guam remains in Condition of Readiness 4 at this time. Current Track:The current forecast track has Tropical Depression 10W passing near or just north of Guam, through the Rota channel early Thursday morning with damaging winds between 40 and 45 mph and gusts up to 50 mph in heavier showers at the closest point of approach. Worst conditions are expected through Thursday morning, as the system leaves the area. The change in the forecast track is a testament to how erratic the system has been and highlights the importance of staying up to date with the latest advisories from NWS.Advisories:An airport weather warning is in effect for the Guam International Airport until 4 a.m.Thursday morning. Winds from the northeast, of 24 to 34 mph are expected with higher gusts within heavier showers reaching 44 mph. Wind direction will change depending upon the movement of Tropical Depression 10W.A flash flood watch is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan through Friday morning. Heavy rainfall is expected as the tropical depression passes through the Marianas overnight and on Thursday. Due to its slow motion, there is potential for excessive rainfall and flash flooding, especially across Guam and Rota. Rainfall of 4 to 6 inches is possible with locally higher amounts, especially for Guam and Rota.Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop. Clear any debris around drainage areas.Residents who are concerned that their homes may not be able to withstand tropical storm conditions can call the GHS/OCD Watch Desk 478-0290 for coordination with village Mayor’s offices. The GHS/OCD 24/7 Watch Office will coordinate non-emergency individual requests for assistance from village mayors, government of Guam, military, private, and non-profit organizations.As of this evening, Government of Guam operations will continue as normal tomorrow including the Guam Department of Education summer school programs. Residents are urged to drive with caution on the roads tomorrow and to allow plenty of time to reach their destination.Preparedness Actions Through the Evening:

Check in with the NWS website for updates through the evening in order to get the latest weather updates.

Charge cell phones in advance, so there is full battery if power is lost.

Avoid walking, swimming or driving through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving fast-water can sweep your vehicle away.

As winds and rains increase through the evening, residents and visitors are advised to remain in a safe location that is able to withstand damaging winds.

Mariners should make all necessary preparations to return to port, seek safe harbor and secure their craft. Dangerous rip currents are expected, along with 10 – 12 feet of open ocean and 8 – 10 feet of surf.

Store any items that may become airborne with heavy wind, including canopies and children’s outdoor toys.

Keep emergency preparedness kits nearby.

Secure outdoor pets in a safe location either indoors or inside the garage.

Stay up to date with the latest information. The storm track or intensity may change, additional advisories may be issued, or updates to changes in Conditions of Readiness may be issued.

GHS/OCD, working with the NWS, will continue to monitor the system and provide updates. Monitor the latest advisory information through the following sites:

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

X Hazardous materials come in the form of explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons and radioactive materials. Hazards can occur during production, storage, transportation, use, or disposal. You and your community are at risk if a chemical is used unsafely or released in harmful amounts in the environement where you live, work or play.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Definition of Terrorism

Under Section 2 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002:

The term ‘‘terrorism’’ means any activity that— (A) involves an act that— (i) is dangerous to human life or potentially destructive of critical infrastructure or key resources; and (ii) is a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State or other subdivision of the United States; and (B) appears to be intended— (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.

X Tsunamis, also known as seismic waves (mistakenly called “tidal waves”), are a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance such as an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, or meteorite. Earthquake-induced movement of the ocean floor most often generate tsunamis. If a major earthquake or landslide occurs close to shore, the first wave in a series could reach the beach in a few minutes, even before a warning is issued.